ST. MAARTEN — Two of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in St. Maarten are on their way back – and better than ever – after last year’s devastation from Hurricane Irma.

The Maho Group says its adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and family-friendly Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa are both primed for a complete renovation and will come back ‘Stronger and Brand New’ with projected opening dates Nov. 15, 2018 and Feb. 1, 2019, respectively.

The company says it is “grateful for the enduring support from its clients, partners and guests over the past year following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.”

Loyal guests will be happy to know that the resorts’ signature limitless, all-inclusive concepts will remain the same, as will favourite services, amenities and familiar faces on staff. Extensive renovations are also giving rise to a number of new features.

The company also notes that it has taken “every measure to implement the latest architectural innovations and storm resistant materials in the renovation, ensuring the future security and well being of its properties and guests.”

Starting June 1 Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa will offer an pre-opening 45% discount promotion with promo code: PREOPENING.

Select travel partners and travel agents will also have access to this promotion and for group reservations and other sales related inquiries. For details email sales@sonestastmaarten.com.

Here’s a look at each property…

SONESTA MAHO BEACH RESORT, CASINO & SPA (re-opening Feb. 1, 2019)

The resort’s Sky Tower sustained the most damage and the renovation required that the building be stripped to its main structural frame that was fortunately spared by the storm.

The reconstruction project will entirely overhaul the building with a redesign that includes TCK and LVKE building technology, with storm resistant building envelope that can withstand sustained winds in excess of 200 mph winds (Irma had sustained winds of 165 mph) and severe earthquakes.

Meanwhile the resort will be updated with a new look reflecting a contemporary, clean and airy aesthetic throughout the public spaces, restaurants and guestrooms, while maintaining a fun, friendly and approachable Caribbean vibe that the resort is known for.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is the largest, limitless, all-Inclusive family-friendly resort in St. Maarten, a 10-acre, 416-room beachfront property on St. Maarten’s southwest shore minutes from the airport. The property features an oversized signature Oasis pool area with swim-up bar and separate kids pool with mini aqua park, five restaurants and a pizzeria, five bars, fitness centre, sports courts, oceanfront wedding gazebo and more than 24,000 square-feet of meeting space and unique outdoor venues. There’s also the Serenity Spa and the Casino Royale.

SONESTA OCEAN POINT RESORT, CASINO & SPA (re-opening Nov. 15, 2018)

Sonesta Ocean Point Resort sustained somewhat less damage than its sister property, with the structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems remaining in good condition. The property underwent a gut renovation in 2015.
Repairs are being made to damaged areas with improvements implemented to increase storm resistance of the building’s exterior envelope.

The Ocean Point lobby will be entirely redesigned and given an updated contemporary style, while the new Casa Blue, a Spanish-style tapas restaurant, will debut on the rooftop terrace above Azul restaurant.

The Convention Centre, including the Royal Pavilion, will be completely rebuilt and redesigned, updating all its 24,000-square-feet of meeting and conference facilities accommodating up to 700 guests.

Sonesta says Maho Village, the shopping and nightlife promenade located just steps outside the resorts, along with Casino Royale, the largest gaming emporium on St. Maarten, are undergoing massive transformations as well, and are set to re-open in summer 2018 with a modern new look.

Casino Royale will continue to offer over 21,000-square-feet of gaming and entertainment with the biggest theatre in the region, and will debut two new alfresco restaurants and a new outdoor bar and lounge overlooking the main street of Maho Village.

Post-Irma The Maho Group, owners and operators of Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts, along with other industry partners, launched Hospitality First, a St. Maarten Training Foundation (SMTF) academic initiative. The program helps ensure the well being of staff and employees making it possible for them to maintain a livelihood after the storm as well as improve their skills and knowledge in hospitality while resorts are closed and now being renovated.

All employees of The Maho Group remained employed following Hurricane Irma, and no staff was terminated, says the company.

The Maho Group also says that all gift certificates with an expiration date from Sept. 6, 2017 onwards will be honored and their validity automatically extended for six months from the reopening date, subject to availability and blackout dates. Gift certificates must be redeemed at the original property and cannot be transferred to another Sonesta Resort. Gift certificate reservations can only be made by calling 1-800-SONESTA, and guest must provide a certificate number, verified expiration date, and the reservation name must match the name of the traveller.